The Real Deal Miami

Vegas cracks down on short-term rentals

Airbnb hosts in Vegas last year collected $35.5 million of rental revenue

June 24, 2017 03:20PM

Loud parties at short-term rental homes led to the Las Vegas crackdown.

The city council of Las Vegas approved new rules to restrict owners who advertise homes as short-term rentals on Airbnb and other home-sharing platforms. Council members enacted the rules in response to complaints about homes used as “party houses” by short-term renters.

The new rules require owners to obtain a special use permit priced at $1,030, to submit proof of liability insurance for $500,000 in damages, and to post placards outside their homes with contact information and the maximum occupancy allowed.

The new rules also require that owners of short-term rental properties to have one additional parking spot for every bedroom in excess of five.

Owners of short-term rental properties in Las Vegas already had been required to arrange for a property inspection, to obtain a business license and to pay an annual permit fee of $500. Las Vegas also prohibits short-term rental properties from being within 660 feet of each other.

San Francisco-based Airbnb reported earlier this year that Las Vegas home owners last year hosted more than 250,000 guests and collected $35.5 million in rental revenue.

Airbnb spokeswoman Jasmine Mora said in a prepared statement that the new rules set by the city council in Las Vegas threatens the short-term rental income of “thousands of Las Vegas families.”

Airbnb has fought legal and regulatory battles in many metropolitan areas, including South Florida, where the company convinced a judge to issue a temporary restraining order that prevents Miami from enforcing a ban on short-term rentals in residential areas. [Daily Business Review] – Mike Seemuth